Portable dry battery burglar alarm



Jan. 7, 1941. w, KOEHLER 2,228,120

PORTABLE DRY BATTERY BURGLAR ALARM Filed Sept. 17, 1938 INVENTOR Patented Jan. 7, 1941 UNITED STATES PORTABLE DRY BATTERY BURGLAR ALARM William Koehler, New York, N. Y.

Application September Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a portable dry battery burglar alarm.

The invention has for an object the construc- 5 tion of a burglar alarm as mentioned which is characterized by a small casing containing an electric alarm, batteries, and a circuit for controlling the ringing of the alarm when an insulation member is drawn outwards, and an arrangement by which the casing may be attached to a bed, or other article of furniture, or other object. The invention contemplates the use of cords attached to the insulation member and extended in various directions and attached to various objects likely to be moved by an intruder.

The invention proposes to so arrange the device that when any one of the cords is pulled the alarm is set into operation.

Still further the invention relates to a novel construction of insulation member to adapt it to securely maintain its position and to be extendible only upon the pulling of one of the cords before mentioned.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawing, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a room with certain articles therein, and a portable dry battery burglar alarm constructed according to this invention arranged therein.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the casing and the associated parts of the burglar alarm illustrated with the cover casing in an open position.

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of Fig. 2 but illustrated with the casing attached to one of the rails of a bed, the latte part being illustrated in section.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view looking in the direction of the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of a tack used in the device.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of an eye element used in the device.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of another insulation member constructed in accordance with this invention.

17, 1938, Serial No. 230,423

The portable dry battery burglar alarm, according to this invention, includes a casing I0 having an open side closable with a cover H which is hingedly mounted on one edge by hinges 12. Within the casing there is an electric alarm l3 and batteries M for the operation of the alarm. The casing I0 is formed with an opening IS in one end through which a pair of contacts 16 and it project. One of these contacts, the contact ll, is flexible and biased to normally engage the contact l6 and is adapted to be flexed from the contact it by the engagement of an insulation member hereinafter to be described between the contacts l6 and 11. There is a circuit within the casing which includes the contacts l6 and I! for controlling the said alarm to operate when the contacts engage each other. This circuit is schematically shown in Fig. 6 and will be explained in detail hereinafter.

An insulation member I8 is normally inter- H posed between the contacts l6 and Il forholding them apart. A latch is associated with the insulation member l8 and includes a movable bolt l9, and an operator 2% for opening the latch by controlling the bolt Iii. A plurality of cords 2| are attached to the operator 2% and are adapted to be extended to various objects to be moved to set off the alarm as hereinafter more fully described.

The casing I0 is provided with a bracket 22 and a clamp screw 23 by which the casing may be attached to some article of furniture or other object, but the device may be placed at any location in the room, facing the windows, doors, or other objects, without being screwed or otherwise attached to any object, since the weight of the device will keep it in place without moving it when the cord is pulled. As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 3 the clamp 23 is engaged upon one rail 24 of a bed 25. This bed is shown within a room 26. There is a door 21 in one of the walls of the room. There is a window 23 in another wall of the room. The cords 2i extend from the operator 20 and are connected to various objects guarded by the alarm. For example, one cord 2| (see Fig. 1) extends to and is connected with the door 21. This cord 2| extends through a tack 29 having an eye opening (see Fig. 8) which is engaged into the floor of the room near the wall having the door 21. The cord 2| then extends upwards over a thumb tack 3i] (see Fig. 7), and then is connected with the knob 3| of the door. The parts are so arranged that when the door is opened the cord 2| will be pulled. Thus the operator will be pulled.

Other cords 2| (see Fig. I) extend to the sashes of the window 28. These cords are guided over suitable tacks with eye openings and thumb tacks, and are attached to the sashes in a manner so that when one or the other of the sashes is moved the cord or cords will be pulled and cause the pulling of the operator 20. While the cords have been shown connected merely with the door and window of the room, it should be understood that these cords, or other similar cords, may be connected with other objects in the room which are most likely to be moved by an intruder.

The insulation member is of flat construction and is provided with a bore through which the operator 20 extends. The outer end of the operator is provided with a ring portion 20 to which the cords 2| are attached. The inner end of the operator 20 connects with a flexible wire 32, the other end of which is connected with an outer portion of the bolt H3. The inner end of the bolt I 9 is hingedly mounted by a pintle 33. A spring 34 is coaxially arranged upon the pintle 33 and has one end connected with the bolt and the other with a portion of the insulation member l8 so as to normally urge the bolt l9 into the normal position shown in Fig. 4. This position is one in which it is at an angle of approximately 45 to the member l8. In this position of the bolt it rests against an inclined portion l'l of the contact ll. Behind this inclined portion Il there is a backing bracket 35 which holds the contact portions I 1 from flexing outwards. The bolt I9 is of insulation material.

The insulation member 3 if pushed or pulled, cannot be withdrawn from its position between the contacts l6 and I! because the bolt l9 locks the same. In order for the insulation member to be withdrawn it is necessary that the operator 20 be pulled. This will pull the flexible wire 32, which in turn will pivot the bolt [9 along the dot and dash line I9 When the bolt moves along this line it will soon reach a position in which it is beneath the contact I l The insulation member, upon further pulling of the operator 20, will be drawn out from its position between the contacts.

The insulation member l8 may be inserted back to its original position merely by forcing it inwards between the contacts 16 and I1. During this movement the bolt is will be normally pressed downwards until the member i8 is fully inserted, and then the bolt [9 will automatically pivot upwards to the position shown in Fig. 4. A plug socket 36 is also mounted in one wall of the casing N]. This socket is adapted to receive a plug as hereinafter more fully described.

The wiring of the device may be understood by inspecting Fig. 6. The batteries '14 have their end contacts connected with a conductor 36. A lead 31 connects the conductor 35 with one terminal of the alarm l3. The other terminal of the alarm is connected by a lead 38 with one terminal of the plug 36 and with the contact IS. A conductor plate 39 is in contact with the shell contacts of the batteries M and connects with a lead 40 which is connected with the contact I? and with the other contact of the plug 36. The insulation member I8 is engaged between the contacts l6 and I1.

Normally, the alarm l3 does not operate. When the insulation member H3 is withdrawn the contacts l6 and I1 engage and then the circuit is completed through the alarm 13 which rings until either the batteries l4 become exhausted, or the circuit is broken by re-engaging the insulation member is between the contacts l6 and H.

A plug 4| is adapted to be engaged in the socket 36. This plug is connected with a double wire cable 42 which has one of its wires connected with a contact I1 and its other wire connected with a contact l6. An insulation member 18 is adapted to hold the contacts l6 and I1 separated. The contacts [6' and I1 are mounted upon a casing I0 which is provided with a bracket 22 having a clamp screw 23'. The casing l0 may be attached to an object by the clamp screw 23. The plug 4! may be plugged into the socket 36. As long as the contacts [6 and H are separated by the member Hi the alarm will not operate. Should the member [8' be withdrawn, the alarm operates. The member 18' is similar in construction to the member [8. It has an operator 20', see Fig. 1, and is adapted to have cords 24 associated therewith, in a like manner. Thus the cords 2-1 may control the withdrawal of the member l8. The advantage of having the cable 42, resides in the fact that the cable may be strung to a remote point from the casing H], to an object to which the cords 5' are connected. Therefore the cords 21 may be of relatively shorter length than would be required should it be necessary to string the cords directly to the operator 20.

In Fig. 9 the insulation member 50 is shown to be of a single piece of sheet material with a ring portion 20 secured thereon with an eyelet 5!, rivet or the like so that the ring 12! may swivel on the insulation member 50, in the direction of the pull of the cord 21.

It is to be understood that this device may be attached to any object or on the floor at any place of a room or may be free to move from place to place.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, a switch for controlling the sounding of an electric alarm, com-prising a pair of biased engageable contacts, an insulation member engageable between said contacts for separating the same, a latch member on said insulation member to prevent the removal of said insulation member from between said contacts, means for releasing said latch operable by a movable operator, and a cord attached to said operator whereby when said cord is pulled said operator will move to release said latch member so that further pulling of said cord will cause said insulation member to be withdrawn from between said contacts.

2. In a device of the class described, a switch for controlling the sounding of an electric alarm, comprising a pair of biased engageable contacts, an insulation member engageable between said contacts for separating the same, a latch memher on said insulation member to prevent the removal of said insulation member from between said contacts, means for releasing said latch operable by a movable operator, and a cord attached to said operator whereby when said cord is pulled said operator will move to release said latch member so that further pulling of said cord will cause said insulation member to be withdrawn from between said contacts, said latch member comprising a bolt having one of its ends pivotally mounted on said insulation member, and resilient means urging said bolt into a position in which it will engage beneath one of said contacts to lock said insulation member in position between said contacts.

3. In a device of the class described, a switch for controlling the sounding of an electric alarm, comprising a pair of biased en ageable contacts, an insulation member engageable between said contacts -for separating the same, a latch member on said insulation member to prevent the removal of said insulation member from between said contacts, means for releasing said latch operable by a moving operator, and a cord attached to said operator whereby when said cord is pulled said operator will move to release said latch member so that further pulling of said cord will cause said insulation member to be withdrawn from between said contacts, said latch member comprising a bolt having one of its ends pivotally mounted on said insulation member, and resilient means urging said bolt into a position in which it will engage beneath one of said contacts to lock said insulation member in 'position between said contacts, said means, comprising a flexible wire having one of its ends attached to the free end of said bolt, said operator being slidably extended through said operator and having its inner end attached to the free end of said flexible wire to cause said operator, bolt and insulation member to move as a unit from between said contacts when said latch member is released.

4. In a device of the class described, a switch for controlling the sounding of an electric alarm, comprising a pair of contacts resiliently engaging each other and one of which is flexible, a tubular insulation member engaging between said contacts to separate the same, a latch for holding said insulation member in position between said contacts, and means for releasing said latch so that said insulation member may be withdrawn from between said contacts, said latch comprising a bolt having one of its ends pivotally mounted on said insulation member, and resilient means urging said bolt into a position in which it will engage beneath one of said contacts to lock said insulation member in position between said contacts.

5. In a device of the class described, a switch for controlling the sounding of an electric alarm, comprising a pair of contacts resiliently engaging each other and one of which is flexible, a tubular insulation member engaging between said contacts to separate the same, a latch for holding said insulation member in position between said contacts, and means for releasing said latch so that said insulation member may be withdrawn from between said contacts, said l-atch comprising a bolt having one of its ends pivotally mounted on said insulation member, and resilient means urging said bolt into a position in which it will engage beneath one of said contacts to lock said insulation member in position between said con-tacts, said means, comprising an operator slidably extending through said tubular insulation member, a flexible wire having one of its ends connected to the inner end of said operator and the other of its ends connected to the free end of said bolt, and a cord attached to the outer end of said operator and pullable to pivot said bolt to a position parallel to said insulation member to free said insulation member so that further .pulling on said cord will cause said insulation member and bolt to be withdrawn as a unit from between said contacts so that said contacts will engage each other.

WILLIAM KOEI-ILER. 

